I am a strong believer that books connect us. STORIES connect us. They connect us to circumstances beyond our realm of possibility, they connect us to places we have only dreamed of going, they connect us with characters that we want to be like (as well as characters we never want to emulate), they help us to discover ourselves in a very quiet, personal, deep way that is such a treasure. This is why I hold authors and illustrators in such high regard. They are the ones that open so many doors and windows for the rest of us to discover ourselves and the world.
This pandemic has not been easy for a people person like me but in the midst of the isolation, work from home, keeping my own kids on track, I have found comfort and joy in so many books. I have chatted with people lately who have said that during this time, it has been very hard for them to find time to read. I do get it. But I also want to encourage you to carve out at least 15 minutes a day to escape into someone else world. You don't have to read with your eyeballs, turn on an audio book. Let someone else read to you. It's fabulous! And if you have tweens and teens at home who avoid reading at all costs, audio books is they way to go.
The National Book Club for Kids is hosting some great authors each week that are perfect for your tweens (and teens) to connect with. Check out the website at https://sites.google.com/hope.edu/nationalbookclubforkids/home
You can also follow them on Facebook.
Public Libraries are beginning to open up and will be starting their summer reading programs around the beginning of June. Kids (and adults!) can earn prizes simply by reading or listening to books. They also try very hard to have fun, engaging programs for all ages. Go check out your local public library's website (or follow them on Facebook) for more information.
I have created a new Facebook page called Wetzig Reads where I will post author/illustrator and book goodness; as well as information about book giveaways, reading programs and all kinds of book love. Follow my page for updates
Books I have just finished (all of these summaries are taken from Good Reads because they are far more eloquent that I am):
The Last (Endling #1) by Katherine Applegate
Byx is the youngest member of her dairne pack. Believed to possess remarkable abilities, her mythical doglike species has been hunted to near extinction in the war-torn kingdom of Nedarra.
After her pack is hunted down and killed, Byx fears she may be the last of her species. The Endling. So Byx sets out to find safe haven, and to see if the legends of other hidden dairnes are true.
Along the way, she meets new allies—both animals and humans alike—who each have their own motivations for joining her quest. And although they begin as strangers, they become their own kind of family—one that will ultimately uncover a secret that may threaten every creature in their world.
Frogkisser by Garth Nix
The last thing she needs is a prince. The first thing she needs is some magic.
Poor Princess Anya. Forced to live with her evil stepmother’s new husband, her evil stepstepfather. Plagued with an unfortunate ability to break curses with a magic-assisted kiss. And forced to go on the run when her stepstepfather decides to make the kingdom entirely his own.
Aided by a loyal talking dog, a boy thief trapped in the body of a newt, and some extraordinarily mischievous wizards, Anya sets off on a Quest that, if she plays it right, will ultimately free her land—and teach her a thing or two about the use of power, the effectiveness of a well-placed pucker, and the finding of friends in places both high and low.
Stargazing by Jen Wang
When Moon’s family moves in next door to Christine’s, Moon goes from unlikely friend to best friend―maybe even the perfect friend. The girls share their favorite music videos, paint their toenails when Christine’s strict parents aren’t around, and make plans to enter the school talent show together. Moon even tells Christine her deepest secret: that she sometimes has visions of celestial beings who speak to her from the stars. Who reassure her that earth isn’t where she really belongs.
But when they’re least expecting it, catastrophe strikes. After relying on Moon for everything, can Christine find it in herself to be the friend Moon needs?
Swing It, Sunny by Jennifer L. Holm
Summer's over and it's time for Sunny Lewin to enter the strange and unfriendly hallways of . . .middle school. When her Gramps calls her from Florida to ask how she's doing, she always tells him she's fine. But the truth? Sunny is NOT having the best time.
Not only is the whole middle school thing confusing . . . but life at home is confusing, too. Sunny misses her brother Dale, who's been sent to boarding school. But when Dale comes back, she STILL misses him . . . because he's changed.
Luckily Sunny's got her best friend and a mysterious new neighbor on her side . . . because she is NOT going let all this confusion get her down. Instead, she's going to remain Sunny-side up!
The House With Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson
All 12-year-old Marinka wants is a friend. A real friend. Not like her house with chicken legs. Sure, the house can play games like tag and hide-and-seek, but Marinka longs for a human companion. Someone she can talk to and share secrets with.
But that's tough when your grandmother is a Yaga, a guardian who guides the dead into the afterlife. It's even harder when you live in a house that wanders all over the world . . . carrying you with it. Even worse, Marinka is being trained to be a Yaga. That means no school, no parties--and no playmates that stick around for more than a day.
So when Marinka stumbles across the chance to make a real friend, she breaks all the rules . . . with devastating consequences. Her beloved grandmother mysteriously disappears, and it's up to Marinka to find her--even if it means making a dangerous journey to the afterlife.
